K-P delays decision on local polls

More than a month has passed since local government institutions were dissolved in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, but the provincial government has yet to reach a decision regarding the holding of new local body elections. The Provincial Minister for Local Government has also maintained complete silence on the matter.

The local government bodies were dissolved on March 18 of last month. Under Clause 219, Subclass 4 of the Local Government Act 2017, the provincial government is bound to hold elections within 120 days. However, no visible interest has been shown by the government so far in conducting fresh local body polls.

The Local Council Association has approached the government to demand new local body elections, but no clear policy has been announced by the authorities. The association has also moved the court in this regard.

According to Intizar Khalil, spokesperson for the Association, under the Local Government Act 2017, the government is required to hold elections within 120 days of the dissolution of local government institutions. "Now that more than a month has passed, the government has not made any decision regarding local body elections," he said.

When approached for comment, Provincial Minister for Local Government Meena Khan Afridi did not respond.

In a related development, former local government representatives in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have demanded payment of outstanding honorariums, session allowances, and other benefits from the provincial government. The former representatives have given the government a 15-day ultimatum, warning of a protest in Peshawar if their dues are not cleared.

The Local Councils Association has sent a formal communication to the government, demanding that funds for honorariums, session allowances, and other benefits for the four-year term of the local government system be released within 15 days.